How To Fix Note9 Opening Things On Its Own?

[NanoByter]

Hi! So, I've had my Note9 for I'd say almost a year and just a few months ago I've started having this problem.

My Note9 will randomly open and do things. As I'm typing this, Google Assistant keeps popping up at the bottom of my screen and my media volume keeps randomly going up and down even though I'm not touching anything. Also, whenever I go onto YouTube, the video will randomly pause or the phone will go to the next video. It used to randomly open Spotify and play music in the background and randomly skip songs until I uninstalled and reinstalled it. Bixby will also occasionally open on its own every once in a while.

I have antivirus (Lookout and Avast) but neither has detected any virus of some kind. Restarting my phone helps, but only for about a minute or so before it starts having problems again. Any solutions?

 

[Hadron]

Does this happen in safe mode? If not then one of the apps you installed is the problem.

Have you tried a factory reset?

All of these things sound like button presses (physical or virtual). You've not got any options set that might increase screen sensitivity? I'm wondering whether it might be a hardware fault - if a reset doesn't fix it I'd take that possibility seriously.

 

[NanoByter]

Does this happen in safe mode? If not then one of the apps you installed is the problem.

Have you tried a factory reset?

All of these things sound like button presses (physical or virtual). You've not got any options set that might increase screen sensitivity? I'm wondering whether it might be a hardware fault - if a reset doesn't fix it I'd take that possibility seriously.

I haven't tried it in safe mode, as I'm not sure how to do that. I haven't done a factory reset either, tho I'm starting to think it's a sensitivity issue, as it doesn't happen when I, say, set the phone down on a table. It only seems to happen if I move the phone or touch it. I'll see if I can lower the sensitivity and then I'll update you.

I haven't tried it in safe mode, as I'm not sure how to do that. I haven't done a factory reset either, tho I'm starting to think it's a sensitivity issue, as it doesn't happen when I, say, set the phone down on a table. It only seems to happen if I move the phone or touch it. I'll see if I can lower the sensitivity and then I'll update you.

Okay, I can't seem to lower the sensitivity. I have Accidental Touch Protection on and Touch Sensitivity off, but that's the best I can do.

How do I put it in Safe Mode?

 

[Hadron]

You need to boot it while pressing some button - it varies between models. A web search suggests that for the Note 9 you can press and hold the power button, then when you get the options press and hold the power off option a d after a few seconds you'll get a "safe mode" option. Select that and it will restart in safe mode.

If it only happens when held I wonder whether it's to do with the edge features? I don't have one of these phones so cannot experiment.

 

[NanoByter]

You need to boot it while pressing some button - it varies between models. A web search suggests that for the Note 9 you can press and hold the power button, then when you get the options press and hold the power off option a d after a few seconds you'll get a "safe mode" option. Select that and it will restart in safe mode.

If it only happens when held I wonder whether it's to do with the edge features? I don't have one of these phones so cannot experiment.

Well I'm currently in safe mode and at first it all seemed okay but then things started happening. I was testing YouTube and while watching a video in full screen it kept bringing me out of YouTube but the video was still playing in a small window off to the side (it's a normal feature but this is the first time something like this has happened when my phone has a "freak out") and when I tried to go back to full screen it kept doing it. Then, it skipped the video I was watching and went to another one, but I've mentioned this before.

Anyways, it seems to be somewhat better? It's still happening but I feel like it's a little less frequent, though that's probably because since I'm in safe mode the apps and such that would normally open are blocked.

Well I'm currently in safe mode and at first it all seemed okay but then things started happening. I was testing YouTube and while watching a video in full screen it kept bringing me out of YouTube but the video was still playing in a small window off to the side (it's a normal feature but this is the first time something like this has happened when my phone has a "freak out") and when I tried to go back to full screen it kept doing it. Then, it skipped the video I was watching and went to another one, but I've mentioned this before.

Anyways, it seems to be somewhat better? It's still happening but I feel like it's a little less frequent, though that's probably because since I'm in safe mode the apps and such that would normally open are blocked.

Also it's not only when held, it's when moving it (holding it, tilting it sideways for landscape mode, etc.)

Also it's not only when held, it's when moving it (holding it, tilting it sideways for landscape mode, etc.)

Another thing I want to add is that whenever I move my earbud cord just in the slightest way, it has one of its little "freak outs", at least from what I've noticed.

 

[mikedt]

From what you've done and the symptoms you're describing. Sounds like a fault, which would require Samsung Service for repair or replacement. I presume your Note9 is still under warranty, as it's less than a year old.